Alan ran the Paris Marathon last year. Yes all 26 miles (42 kilometers) in 5 hours 8 minutes. Not bad for a musician? Alan says he is probably fitter now than when he was in the 70’s. Probably all that sex, drugs & Rock n’ Roll. Will he do it again? “Probably not” says Alan, “it was an ambition fulfilled”. “Done that, got the medal and the tee-shirt”. What’s next? Maybe Everest or the South pole???
Why Paris? Alan said he tried for London but it was over subscribed so where else but France for a Rubette with nowhere to run. “The atmosphere was electric and it was fabulous to see all those great landmarks up close and not just from a car window” said Alan, “37,000 people started and I officially finished 23,852th”. “About 10,000 people never finished so for me to even finish the race at the first attempt makes me proud. The training was extremely hard but well worth it and I can recommend it to anyone who is physically fit enough, which is maybe why the other Rubettes didn’t make it”. Alan’s run raised quite a sum of money for John’s Krishna charity which amongst other things helps care for children.